Seminole County staff unveils wide land‑development code update; commissioners continue item to May 6 for review

Seminole County planning staff presented a comprehensive package of land‑development code updates on April 1, 2026, spanning definitions, housing‑related tools such as affordable‑housing density bonuses and alternative lot standards, accessory‑use clarifications, streamlining of permits (boat docks and small residential fences), and alignment with recent state statutes.

Maya Athonis, principal planner, summarized the scope: "We are proposing the affordable housing density bonus and alternative design standards to help projects reach the comp‑plan density without always using PUDs," she said, explaining the intended use of incentives and a sample calculation for a hypothetical 10‑acre site. Staff told the commission the changes are meant to clarify, modernize and in some cases make development review more efficient while complying with state law.

Commissioners and members of the public asked for clarifications about specific provisions including accessory‑dwelling unit owner‑occupancy, the existing prohibition on gated Missing Middle projects, and setback and fence‑permit changes. Staff clarified some items and noted others were not proposed to change; they also said a summary of amendments was included in the packet. Several commissioners requested more time to digest the 200‑plus pages of proposed code changes. The commission voted to continue the item to the next regular meeting on May 6, 2026 so members can formulate questions and send consolidated feedback to staff for the Board of County Commissioners packet.

Next steps: Staff will return on May 6 with clarifications and a shorter summary emphasizing changes of potential interest to the commission; the Board of County Commissioners will receive the recommended ordinance afterward.